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Judge Says Prison Time "Inappropriate" for Convicted Rapist

Survivor Jane Doe says she feels like laws only apply to privileged people who have the power to manipulate the system for their benefit

By True Crime WriterPublished 2 years ago 4 min read
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Christopher Belter pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting four teenage girls back in 2019. A New York state judge ruled he will not spend time behind bars, saying that punishment would be “inappropriate” for the crime.

Belter pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree sexual abuse, third-degree rape, and two counts of second-degree sexual abuse steming from incidents in 2017 and 2018 in Lewiston, New York. All four victims were underage at the time. Belter was 16 years old.

One of the victims, identified by the initials M.M. testified in court that Belter raped her and told her to “stop being such a baby about it.” She said she focused on a plant while the rape took place.

"I wish I would have had a louder voice at the beginning of all of this. Maybe I could have done more. That 16-year-old girl trusted a bit too much that justice would have been served. She worried that if she spoke up louder, she would get hurt even worse and hurt other people along the way. She had just assumed that all rapists go to jail. She missed out on opportunities to speak up that she wasn't even aware of. Let the People do their jobs, right," she stated.

"But today I am older. Today I know that I am able to speak up for myself without interference, without people telling me what to say and what not to say. So I stand before you now asking you to not let this be the end, to not let this rapist walk away from two years' probation with a clean slate. I am asking you because you have the ability to save future girls. You have the ability to either put this fire out or to let it continue burning."

The judge sentenced Belter to probation for a term of two years. He limited his internet usage and cannot access pornography. Soon after, Belter violated the terms of his probation. Judge Matthew J. Murphy denied him Youth Offender status and sentenced him as an adult in November 2021.

The judge then sentenced him to 8 years of probation and determined that he must register as a sex offender. He then stated that prison time for Belter would be “inappropriate” in this situation.

"I agonized. I'm not ashamed that to say that I actually prayed over what is the appropriate sentence in this case because there was great pain. There was great harm. There were multiple crimes committed in the case," Judge Murphy said, according to CNN affiliate WKBW. "It seems to me that a sentence that involves incarceration or partial incarceration isn't appropriate, so I am going to sentence you to probation."

An order of protection was also issued on the first charge.

Prior to the sentencing, Belter read a statement out loud in court to the victims in the case.

"Through treatment and reflection, I've come to feel deep shame and regret for my actions. None of you deserved to be in this situation," he said. "I hope each of you could close that wound I gashed."

"I know though, that a scar will remain that will serve as a reminder of the evil of that night," he added.

M.M. told WKBW she was "disgusted" by the sentencing.

"The judge had the opportunity to put out the fire but he chose to let it keep burning," she said. "I didn't expect to be as emotional as I was, but I just broke down."

A Second Victim Speaks

Jane Doe, a 19-year-old college student who was assaulted by Belter in 2017, told CNN that she was in a state of disbelief when her dad called her to tell her the news.

"I kind of just went silent," she said. "He asked me if I could hear him. I just couldn't believe it. After he had been talking to me for a while I kind of absorbed what he was saying, and I started to get sick."

Jane Doe said that she doesn't know why the judge handed down such a lenient sentence and that it does not make a lot of sense to her.

"My perspective legally is that I don't really have an answer, I feel like I was misrepresented and it's a miscarriage of justice. In my heart, unfortunately, I think he (Judge Murphy) empathized with Christopher, and that is a really sick idea to have to imagine."

Doe said that she especially felt hurt when Belton claimed that he was a lifelong Christian, saying they must not pray to the same God.

"To know that someone used God's name to rationalize such a sick decision was heartbreaking to me, that somehow Judge Murphy's decision he made was appropriate because he prayed," she said.

Jane Doe also told the news station that she feels the criminal justice system is “beyond corrupt” and that she is not protected by current laws. She said she feels laws only apply to privileged people who have the power to manipulate the system for their benefit.

Screw This Guy Though

I am so sorry this happened to all four women and send my love and hope for healing their way. I wholeheartedly agree with you, Jane Doe.

guilty
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About the Creator

True Crime Writer

The best of the worst true crime, history, strange and Unusual stories. Graphic material. Intended for a mature audience ONLY.

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